Brunching it up

 

Dish on Market delivers a heavenly Hot Brown breakfast

Hello food lovers! Welcome to my latest brunch edition featuring two fantastic Louisville eateries: Dish on Market and Ramsi's Cafe on the World. Let it be known that both are excellent options for lunch and dinner too. A few friends and I ventured down to Dish on Market for a full-on brunch patter  which included the Skillet Baked Eggs Hot Brown, the Huevos Racheros, and a Veggie Omelette. The texas toast along with savory mornay sauce were my favorite part of the Hot Brown dish and I absolutely adored the eggs benedict style, as well as the green onion, and melted cheddar cheese. The applewood smoked bacon was not remarkable for me (although I'm not a big fan of bacon in general) and I felt the pan roasted turkey, while tasty, was piled on too much and could have done with more eggs or peppers.  

 

Huevos Racheros hits the spot--mm,mm, good!

I found the racheros dish to be very delish, particularly the combination of chorizo, spicy jack cheeses, refried beans, ranchero sauce, and refreshing lime sour cream. I could have done with more cilantro and more overall spiciness, but then again I can never get enough of those two characters.

 

A veggie lover's breakfast plate



I didn't get to sample Michael's Veggie Omelette, but the photo sure is gorge and he had no complaints at all. I did get to try his cheesy grits, which were A-MAY-ZING. I would most definitely order them on my next trip here and would also love to try the burger, which has been voted "Best Burger" by LEO readers choice awards. Dish is also a great stop for bourbon lovers, as its bar is included on the Urban Bourbon Trail--an exciting Louisville experience for those who want to explore the best bourbon bars around town.

My next brunch outing entailed a wonderful buffet experience at Ramsi's Cafe on the World. This eclectic restaurant is located in the Louisville Highlands and has been one of my local go-to spots for over 10 years. I was so excited to try their brunch buffet ($15) for the first time, which I'd heard provides a little taste of....well, the world (duh). My group arrived around 11a.m on a sunny yet cold Sunday morning and we found ourselves with about a 10-15 minute wait. The wait is always a good sign as great cuisine is sure to follow... and it did.



 

My warm-up brunch plate on the world!

 

My first plate entailed samplings of both traditional breakfast (biscuits, gravy, and scrambled eggs), as well as testings of lunch / dinner options (jerk chicken, roasted potatoes, and pesto tortilleni with shrimp). I quickly decided the pesto and jerk would be invited back for round two. A few of my pals went with breakfast basics such as french toast, bacon, and fresh fruit and found themselves going back for second helpings.





 

Ramsi's brunch plate 2







My second visit to the buffet line was amusing. Two young women, gabbing about their crazy night out, kept asking me what everything was. I kindly directed them to read the labels found below each dish. One would assume they understood this. They didn't and continued asking me, "What's that one?". One of the girls, wearing a pinkalicious T from Victoria's Secret mind you, teased about getting an entire plate full of tortilla chips for her first plate. As much as I wanted to, I just couldn't hate them and found myself laughing along the line. I piled on more pesto and jerk, added some chips and hummus, and a few other samplings--a vegan version of huevos racheros, and an amazing goat cheese chicken dish. I would re-plate this again in a heartbeat!! Everything had just the right amount of seasoning which seems rare when considering the amount of varing cuisines I had combined on one plate. Shout it from the rooftops: Ramsi's knows how to do a superb buffet platter... on the world.

 

So the next time you're craving an awesome brunch experience in Louisville, be sure to check out one or both of these hot spots and don't forget to... LIVE TO EAT! 





An Italian Platter

 Trattoria ZaZa in Firenze

 

The Holladay platter has gone International! In mid-November, I packed up and took off for a 9-day tour of Italia. While, I absolutely hate to complain and sound like a prima donna, I must say that a handful of dishes included on the tour package left a bit to be desired--a few horribly undercooked pastas and a salad consisting of simply iceberg lettuce and vinegar dressing for example. I guess I was expecting four star dining at every meal... However, I ate well overall, enjoying numerous tasty four course meals. Every morning began with incredible expresso and every night ended with some of the best red table wine this wino has ever consumed. 

 

 A cheese and eggplant pizza platter 

While staying in my favorite city of Florence, my bro Michael and I decided to splurge on a bottle of wine and a late-night dinner at an adorable spot called Trattoria ZaZa. It was a misty night with a slight chill in the air, which felt nice along with my wine buzz from our first dinner. We opted to sit on the front covered patio. The cozy outdoor space provided soft lighting and a lively atmosphere. I don't recall which cheeses were on the plate, but I certainly loved them all. The bread and jam served alongside complimented the cheese very well and we just couldn't stop gushing over it. The Eggplant Pizza also hit the spot. It was fresh and crispy, with just enough seasoning to linger a while before being washed down with the Chianti Classico. The food, wine, ambiance, service, and great conversation made this my favorite  Italian platter--perfecto!!

 Michael enjoying the Za Chianti Classico 

Apart from the unforgettable sight-seeing and fun gift shopping, each afternoon was all about GELATO, GELATO, AND yes, MORE GELATO!!

My first gelato experience - Rome

Shortly after our arrival in Rome, we ventured out for a walk and stumbled into a glorious gelateria. I was baffled by all of the choices and after tasting many samples, I decided to go with a refreshing combo scoop of Melon / Passionfruit. They were both delicous however, if forced to choose just one, I'd go with Melon--hands down. It was sweet and creamy with just enough tart.

Melon and Passion Fruit, Per Favore!!! 

The taste of heaven
 

In Florence we ducked into a busy cafe, intending to go for a gelato lunch. Michael savored his Mint

Chocolate Chip and I relished every creamy bite of my mousse gelato. It was rich rich rich!!

Gigantic gelato! 

 

Another gelato lunch in Florence called for two scoops, including Choc Chip and Pistachio. I believe I'd gotten a little too big for my britches at this point, because there was no way I came close to finishing this off. Although, I did enjoy every bite--especially the Pistachio. After sampling Michael's order in Rome, I was coveting this flavor big time. So I was excited to savor my own cup full. Mama Mia it was marvelous!! 

 

With all this talk of cool gelato, I'd also like to focus on a hot house favorite we discovered in the lovely city of Padua. This charming city located in Northern Italy (right next to Venice), contains an exquisite building called the Pedrocchi. It was founded in the 18th century as a sort of meeting house for townspeople and is well-known today for the cafe. We ordered the Cafe Pedrocchi--a mint flavored expresso featuring a dollop of mint ice cream on top. This was my fav expresso experience as I adore any mint flavor with coffee or chocolate. This warm and tasty treat hit the spot, especially on a chilly day that was filled with mostly outdoor touring. It also got me in the pre-holiday mindset as I noticed the festive decor along with the lively cafe atmosphere.   

 

Expresso with mint makes me smile

 

Be sure to check back next month for more Holladay Platter adventures. Live to Eat!

 

The Return of the Platter

 

It's been several months since I've posted, but that doesn't mean I've been slacking in the platter research department. I've enjoyed countless tasty treats over the past seven months and have even joined a friend's offical foodie group on Facebook. That's right, I'm no longer a wannabe foodie, I'm legit now. It's just too bad I haven't been able to afford any of the real foodie dinners so far... but I plan to, eventually. Now please allow me to highlight some unofficial savory snapshots, picking up where I left off---summer of '12. Ah, how I miss the summer heat!!!

 

I'll take one heart attack on a plate please

For my family birthday brunch, I enjoyed a fantastic Hot Brown at Ditto's Grill. Let's be honest, a hot brown is rarely done wrong. Often called "a heart attack on a plate" due to the absurd amount of fat and calories, this sinfully deccadent dish includes an open-faced broiled turkey sandwich with bacon,  mornay sauce (a creamy parmesan cheese sauce) and / or other cheeses, and is often topped with tomatoes. Dittos Grill is the Holladay family's "go-to" spot in the Louisville Highlands neighborhood. When I'm not gorging on a birthday Hot Brown, I will usually go for one of the following entrees: Thai Salmon, Chinese Burrito, Citrus Atlantic Cod.

Late summer called for a lovely lunch with friends. We ventured to a Vietnamese spot called Pho Binh Minh. Small and simple, this very casual and affordable restaurant is located on Strawberry Lane in Louisville and is best known for the Vietnamese Sandwich. I enjoyed my entree - a platter with rice noodles, veggies, and beef, drenched in a nice gravy sauce. Although I must say, the highlight of my lunch was the Thai Tea. It was super sweet and creamy yet strangely thirst-quenching. I'm also raving about the Thai coffee, which mi hermano ordered. In fact, he liked the coffee so much that he attempted to re-create it at home, buying beans from the Vietnamese store nearby.

Next up, I'd like to feature a Louisville beer lounge and eatery called Four Pegs. A great friend invited me out to this Germantown pub to celebrate her b-day. I loved loved the selection of craft beer, going immediately for the Old Rasputin, Imperial Stout (almost 12% ABV, oh yeah!). Even though I wasn't too hungry this night and was planning to drink my dinner, I couldn't resist the urge to feast on some grub, so I took a tip from a pal and ordered the Fried Green Tomatoes. While they were just a wee bit salty for my taste, the superb spicy sauce that was served alongside, put a permanent smile on this face :))

 

my partially eaten FGT platter  

Seeing the cheap prices ($5-8 for most menu items), I didn't stop here. The Creme Brulee was another must-try that did not disappoint. My experience with the wait staff, not to mention the hip yet inviting atmosphere, was enough earn a strong Holladay Platter recommendation. I can't wait to try an entree on my next visit.

Brulee and Blueberries - Yum 

 

A Kashmir Platter

Just last month Micheal and I enjoyed a hot Indian dinner at Kashmir on Bardstown Road. While my affinity toward Indian food is present throughout the year, the cooler weather calls out for this flavorful and spicy cuisine to light my fire. I ordered one of my fav Indian dishes, the Vindaoo --- a blend of red chilis, cumin, ginger, mustard seeds, and other goodies. The rich and comforting sauce absolutely nailed my palate with the perfect blend of spices. However, I didn't care for the lamb. It was waaay too fatty and I totally regretted not going with my standard choice of chicken. Michael enjoyed his Veggie Tikka Masala entree with cheese. I too enjoyed a few bites, enjoying the mild yet zesty spices (coriander, paprika, and tumeric perhaps...) blended with tomato puree and coconut cream to create a tangy and tasty meal. We combined our delightful dishes with garlic and cheese naan bread (-a must-do with any Indian platter).

With affordable prices, good service, and a cozy atmosphere, I always look forward to dining at Kashmir. The front patio is a prime place to be in the warmer months, sitting on the vibrant and bustling Bardstown Road.

That's all for now, but stay tuned in the coming weeks I'll reveal a few dining escapades from my trip to Italia, as well as a scrumptious brunch and a ladies night out platter. Until then.... Live to Eat!!

Savory Snapshots (Frankfort Avenue Edition)

Feast your eyes on this

It's chicken 'n waffles y'all!! Courtesy of Silver Dollar whisky bar. Southern food is good for the soul, right? Below you will notice two beautifully refreshing beverages including my favorite on the left, the Rio Bravo. This fanciful whisky cocktail includes muddled strawberries. I'm also fond of the La Paloma in which tequila and grapefruit are combined to create a glorious union, indeed.  

Next up we have the Silver Dollar Mollette Sandwhich (basically grilled cheese topped with some peppers) it was nothing special, however their Sweet Potato Fries were enough to keep this lady smiling. Now let's hit the dusty trail.

Moving on from down home Southern food to a Mediterranean Grille called Shiraz. The mouth-watering and colorful photo below captures the full essence of the Spicy Avocado Bruschetta (my carry-out dinner from a few months ago) Zatar bread is smothered with pesto, avocado, diced tomatoes and scallions, feta, and loads of cilantro. Unfortunately this dish wasn't as spicy as I would have liked... but you know me. It's gotta be hot baby.

Speaking of hot, Osaka Sushi knows how to get the job done with their spicy rolls. Although my heart lies with Maido Sushi, I must say that Osaka is a scrumptious spot. It never lets me down in the heat department. In fact, I've often quoted it as having "The spiciest rolls in town"

A full day at the racetrack with old friends and fun led us into the evening. We ventured to a lovely spot on Frankfort called Basa - a Vietnamese fusion restaurant. My Eggplant entree below left a bit to be desired, however the overall experience including wonderful service, elegant atmosphere, and outstanding appetizers such as the crabcakes, was definitely enough to earn a second reservation.

It's time for dessert. How bout Mint Julep ice cream at Comfy Cow?! I've got it in a kiddie cup in case you're wondering... I do love to indulge but also gotta keep it tight. I just have one word (two syllables) to describe it - Yum-my!!!

Another great ice cream indulgence took place at Pie Kitchen. Sweet and salty, the Caramel Nut hit my spot for sure. That's all for now folks. Stay tuned for more summer time Savory Snapshots and platters. Until then, Live to Eat (on Frankfort Avenue)

Eiderdown: A dinner date with the Holladays

A few months ago, Michael and I ventured to Louisville's Germantown, for a delightful Friday night dinner at a restaurant called Eiderdown. This eatery is warm and inviting with understated vintage elegance. We were sat immediately, at the only high top in the place. I have to admit I felt a little special to be towering above the other tables surrounding us. Michael quickly took note of the excellent craft beer list, as I took note of the adorably tiny salt and pepper shakers, cute little flower vase, and candle-lit arrangement on our sky-high wooden table. We also quickly decided that all of the staff were good looking and we were excited to start our meal off right with an appetizer.

I highly recommend the Beer Cheese (photo above). It is with great sadness that I NEVER expect any appetizer in this day and age, to be served with an ample amount of bread, chips, crackers etc. to compliment a dipping cohort. This particular Beer Cheese appetizer, with it's insanely reasonable price of $5, included the most generous (not to mention delicious) amount of bread / cheese manifestation that I've encountered thus far. In fact, the caramel-colored cheese with its intoxicating taste, and its thick, smooth, creamy texture alone, is reason enough to go back to Eiderdown for round Zwei (2)

For my entree I went with the bacon burger (medium-well) and lightly topped with cheese. It was good. I particularly enjoyed the oh-so-soft bun that was toasted just enough, as well as the fresh mix of diced tomatoes and onions that were served on the side.

Michael went with the veggie sandwhich and smashed potatoes. He gobbled it up.

Overall, I truly enjoyed the eats at this spot and would gladly go again. So, the next time you're in Germantown, give me a call and we'll get down with intoxicating beer cheese (and regular beer) at Eiderdown!! Until then, Live to Eat.

El Mundo: A Mexican Original

In honor of the blog's year anniversary, Beth figured it may be nice to get back to our roots for a post, which is why I'm back for a guest blog, Michael, Beth's younger bro. Remember me?

When Beth posted about some of our favorite Mexican places -- a testament to just how much us Holladays love our Mexican; we could eat it for every platter! -- some born and bred Louisvillians may have noticed the big elephant in the blog: El Mundo! This one of a kind Frankfort restaurant offers Mexican fare like no other in town. You won't find your standard Vegetarian E with re-fried bean burritos on the menu. The recipes are based on authentic cuisine, but they put a spin on it by using fresh ingredients. No canned diced tomatoes here. For example, they will use black beans instead of mushy re-fried, red instead of white rice, and greens instead of iceberg lettuce. Or they will include ingredients not usually found in Mexican food. You may walk in and find the special incorporates a surprising ingredient. Portabella mushroom, goat cheese, or calamari, oh my!

The downstairs self serve section with the open kitchen

 While a bit small, the spot is sectioned off in three areas. The front downstairs is a self serve deal where customers can order from the cashier, choose a table for themselves, and pick up their food when ready from the kitchen's counter. Upstairs, you can see the hostess to get waited on by a server. Both have decorative lights splayed along the brightly painted walls. You can go for the casual atmosphere downstairs or spring for a bit fancier upstairs. I've eaten in both areas, and my choice has always depended on what seating is available. It fills up fast, especially anytime after 7 on a Friday or Saturday, so plan accordingly. I've known of people getting turned away because the place was too busy to take anyone else. Beth and I went on Saint Patrick's Day, and plenty tables were available. I've never had an issue when going between 5 or 7. The best was when my roommate and I went during the UofL/UK game, and it was so deserted we had our pick of practically anywhere in the restaurant. Available seating depends on time and also other potential events. And, extra spots are open in the Spring, Summer, and Fall when their patio in the back is an option for outdoor Margarita buzz enjoyment.

Speaking of booze, their margs are the best in town. They use blue agave tequila for a smooth taste. And, I can't speak with 100% accuracy to this, but it seems like their lime mix doesn't have any corn syrup, so the finish on them is purer. Of course, frozen or rocks. I always do rocks, because I believe the general rule that they tend to be stronger. Not that it matters at Mundo. These margs are strooong. Just two will getcha! depending on your tolerance. Their house marg does me just fine, but if you want an upgrade, they have a top shelf choice too. Or, go ahead and chuck the pretense of the lime mix and get a tequila flights to sample from the 40 types.

The Nacho Mountain of Yum

After a few marg sips -- or sucking down a full one within 5 minutes like us Holladays roll -- the food does not disappoint. They have a healthy offering of burritos, enchiladas, tacos, and more. The best part is that each item comes with your choice of filling to customize it to your liking. The options are shredded chicken, pulled pork, ground bison straight from the KY heartland, black beans, and sauteed vegetables. Most entrees are lathered with either their signature red or green chile sauce and served with salsa fresca. A good standby and favorite among many I know is the quesadilla. This large, round tortilla is pan fried to a mild crisp and delicately drizzled with sour cream, which melts on top and into your mouth. No grease. The last time I went I got the Chile Relleno, which is topped with the green chile sauce and stuffed with Jack cheese. It was baked perfectly -- not overly done to make it soggy, but just soft enough. I got it with the veggies, which are seasonal, a rotation they've implemented far longer than the Market and Germantown hipsters! Another favorite -- what Beth got when we went the last time -- is the Nachos. Simple, I know. But, these aren't the ones you made in 6th grade after school in the microwave with Velveeta and Santinas. It's a mountain of delectable ingredients -- black beans, Jack cheese, jalapenos, tomato, guacamole, salsa casa, and sour cream -- piled on crispy corn chips that never turn soggy. I think the key is that they bake them. The only criticism is the spice level. I am my sister's brother, and love the heat. Not many of the options are spicy, even the Chile Relleno. At times, maybe a little bland compared to the Mexican food I'm used to. My roommate and I have a plan to keep asking them if they can make our meals spicy, and maybe they'll take the hint. The only exception is when I had one gloriously spicy burrito there on a lovely patio visit last year. The Garden Burrito with fresh chopped jalapenos and a spicy salsa. But, this was a special. Their specials change frequently, so if you try a new item, be sure to savor it, because it may only be available for a week. I have eaten that burrito over and over in my head ever since, it was so good.

Some may criticize and say this isn't truly authentic, but come on. Really, what is these days? Then again, this is coming from a guy who eats a Qdoba burrito at least once a week, although I can promise El Mundo is much more true to a Mexican mother's recipe than a chicken queso burrito from the Q.

If you're tired of the same old El Nopal burrito or Los Aztecas quesadilla, keep El Mundo in mind for a unique take on "authentic". And for those in L-ville who love Mexican and have never been, you are crazy and need to go NOW. Until then, this is that other Holladay saying, live to eat!

A Hot(-lanta) Platter

In my opinion, the only thing better than dining out at a hot new restaurant, is dining out at a hot new restaurant on a weekend getaway. And what better place to check out hot new eats than Hot-lanta?! A great friend of mine lives there and was kind enough to take a pal and I out for a few tasty eats and treats. Our Friday evening dinner at Antico Pizza definitely didn't let me down. J.V. talked it up big time. In fact, he referred to it as "The Best Pizza in the UNIVERSE!!!" I was curious to see if it would live up to the his hype. When it comes to pizza, I am no critic. I pretty much love it all, with the exception of Louisville's Mr Gatti's and Little Caesars (excuse me as I gag a little just thinking of them). These two are not even in the same galaxy as the authentically celestial pizza at Antico.

We all shared two large pizzas. The Diavola (photo below) - topped with supremely spicy Italian peppers, pepperoni, and mozzarella. I must confess that this one made me sweat, and I liked it (you know I like it hot).

The other pizza was a sauce-less one called the Pomporini (see photo below). It included cherry tomatoes, mozzarella, garlic, and basil,. The tomatoes were gigantic and juicy, just the way God intended them to be. As I took a bite into one of these little darlings, it almost tasted like there was sauce on the pizza. The fresh and light taste of tomatos was a lovely compliment to the spiciness of the Diavolo.

FYI: Antico is BYOB. You can order your food at the counter upon entering and then find a spot to sit. There are two dining rooms with large wooden picnic style tables, so be prepared to possibly make a new friend or two as you dine among strangers. We found a spot at a table in the larger room which was next to the kitchen and we were able to watch the cooks hard at work, tossing the dough etc.

Overall this was a very cool choice for dining out with a few friends and it got me excited for my upcoming trip to Italia. That's right, the Holladay Platter will be heading across the Atlantic for a two week adventure this coming Fall!! Antico felt like a little preview of the pizza that I'm sure to taste in the Eternal City (please allow me to daydream for a moment...). Okay now back to Atlanta, not only was the pizza  Uh-Mah-Zing, it was ready in a flash. The next day we were delighted for leftovers (toaster oven style), along with a few other gluttonous meals.

When people ask me what inspires me to write this blog, I always answer by saying, "The Sun in my Belly". Just kidding, that's actually what Picasso said when asked what inspired him to paint. It's also the clever name of our Saturday brunch spot. This artsy neighborhood cafe has an edgy rustic atmosphere with a very casual and comfortable vibe. Unfortunately, the wait on our food order was quite long. Fortunately the wait staff and management were very apologetic. I went for "The Hangover" breakfast. Even though I didn't actually have a hangover, this platter was right up my alley. The cheesy potatoes were my favorite part. I also adored the Sriracha chili sauce and avocado topping on the fried egg. The sausage and biscuits were okay. I would've liked the biscuits with cheddar cheddar cheese, but they were a bit cold.

J.V. enjoyed his breakfast panini as he informed us that Atlanta is known for having the best Pimento Cheese. I've never been a big fan of pimento, but I got the chance to try the pimento on Kristen's breakfast sandwhich and I have to say that it was my favorite part of all three platters!! It was extremely creamy and tangy with just a bit of sweetness.

Overall we were happy with our brunch and left the table with bellies full of the sun!! Saturday evening entailed a full on food fest. With a list of "Tapas Tips" that we got from a friend, we headed to Barcelona Wine Bar & Restaurant.

It was a chilly and rainy night. Barcelona was offering covered outdoor seating on their front patio with no wait, so we went for it. This might not sound very appealing but it was actually a delightfully cozy and intimate atmosphere. The lighting was nice and soft. There were blankets available for use at each table and heat lamps around as well. It sounds like the perfect setting for a romantic dinner for two. Leave it to my crowd to shake things up. We started by ordering a pitcher of champagne sangria. Why not?

Next, we ordered about six different tapas. My favs were the crispy and creamy Empanadas, the savory and spicy Patatas Bravas, and the mouth-watering Hanger Steak, which included a truffle sauce I would gladly die for. As for our other selections, I had mixed feelings  I liked everything just fine, at first bite, but felt like the seasoning was a bit overdone on many of the tapas. For example, the mushrooms were cooked great and had a nice goat cheese topping, but someone must have stubbed there toe while adding the sage because it completely overpowered the other flavors. I noticed the same issue with our Chorizo with Figs plate. I really liked the chorizo but the balsamic and sherry glaze was waaay overdone.

One might think that we stopped there. No sir / mam. We continued our platter by adding on succulent garlic Gambas al Ajillo (shrimp), as well as a few forgettable tapas, and some pretty good cheeses (with bread of course). Overall, we enjoyed our experience here. I'm not raving about it, but I'd recommend trying it out if you're in the area. The service was good and the atmosphere was cool. Then again, take a pitcher of champagne sangrias and a few old friends with stories to share, and you'll have an amazing dinner anywhere you go. The rest of our night can be summed up with two words "Bourbon Slushi". That's all you need to know.

(Aww, my bourbon baby... I'm such a proud mother)

Before hitting the dusty trail, we saddled up and headed down the road to a charming little market and eatery called La Petit Marche, which means "The Little Market". They have a variety of breakfast and lunch options which you can order at the counter. I pondered over a breakfast sandwhich or pancakes that JV gushed about, but ended up with a Basil Chicken and Pesto Panini. It was perfectly crispy yet soft with just enough basil seasoning. The pesto was also right on the money, not overpowering the taste of the plentiful chicken. I tried a bite of Kristen's Veggie Panini that was filled with beautiful sun dried tomatoes, shrooms, tofu, and cheeses. The side of pasta salad was actually my favorite part. In fact, it might be the best I've ever had... the balsamic dressing included a sesame ginger zeal that perfectly complemented the fresh feta cheese, plump cranberries, and scallions that were mixed about. This gourmet deli boasts locally sourced ingredients with grocer gift items and cheeses lining the shelves. The atomsphere has a quaint country feel with a bit of an international vibe, evident in the menu as well. I would love to hit this spot again on my next trip down.

The next time you want to enjoy a hot new restaurant in a hot city, take my tips and head to Hot-lanta. Until next time, LIVE TO EAT!!

P.S. The Holladay Platter will be celebrating it's one year anniversary next week. Can you believe it's been a whole year?! Where does the crazy time go??? Anyway, watch out for a few special guest bloggers in the next few weeks and please, try to contain your excitement.